High-low stilts

ABSTRACT

A stilt that is adjustably repositioned to a high or a low position for use, with adaptability and capability of use with various sized shoes of the user, and in which falling or losing or shifting of the user&#39;&#39;s balance is substantially eliminated.

mted States Patent 1151 3,660,920 S ina 1 51 9, 1972 s41 HIGH-LOW STILTS 568,557 9/l896 Avery ..3/4 x [72] lnvemon John A splna' l5 Elem street Piusfield. 1,037,503 9/1912 Mann ..272/70.l

FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [221 Filed 377,449 6/1923 Germany.....'. ..272/7o.1 [2]] Appl. No.: 25,540 3,527 1875 Great Britain ..272/70.2 195,228 3/1923 Great Britain..... .....272/70.l Related Application Data 457,587 12/1936 Great Britain ..272/7o.1 63 C t' t' rt f Se No. 690,659, De l4, J g t gmg gg o r c Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant E.\'aminer--Ronald L. Frinks [52] us. c1 ..40/129, 272/7o.1, 3/4 Awrney-Vi9t9r-l-E1/ans and [51] Int. Cl. ..G09l 7/00, A6lf3/00 [58] Field 0! Search ..3/4, 5; 272/70. 1, 70.2, 57, [57] ABSTRACT 27,2/57'2; 40/125 129 A A stilt that is adjustably repositioned to a high or a low position for use, with adaptability and capability of use with vari- [56] References Cited ous sized shoes of the user, and in which falling or losing or UNITED STATES PATENTS shifting of the user's balance is substantially eliminated. 521,8] 1 6/1894 Piepenbring ..272/70.l 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 34 ya 1 E34 PATENI EDMAY 91972 SHEET 1 (IF 3 IN V EN TOR.

PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 SHEET 3 [IF 3 HIGH-LOW STILTS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 690,659, filed Dec. 14, 1967 for HIGH-LOW STlLTS, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to new and improved stilts constructed of tubes with-a coil spring placed one inside the other and inserted at the bottom of the stilt, and more particularly the invention relates to high and low adjustable stilt construction that enables one to provide a variety of adjustments and use with various sized shoes in which there is such a construction of braces and T-shaped openings, apertures, material parts, that a secure use of the high-low stilts is possible.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view shown in part broken away I of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, including all the assembly of parts necessary for its accomplishment and construction;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of H6. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the lower portion of the stilt;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the footrest according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supporting part disposed under the instep of the footrest.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1-3 a pair of stilts 10, 10 having a hollow space 18 in their bases 12, a series of grooves 14 extending along the top portions of stilts 10, 10, at their bottoms a knob 16, and an adjustable foot pedal or plate 20 positioned along their inner sides.

Pivotally connected at the top of each of the stilts l0, 10 is a cross beam 22 which is pivotally connected by pivotable posts 24, 24, and there are further connected additional extensions 28, 28 by pivot means 30, 30 which is generally secured tightly to the cross beam 22.

Cross beam 22 has a plurality of holes or apertures 34 adjustably positioning the pivot means 30, 30, as desired, or the pivotable posts 24, 24. Cross beam 22 is loosely bolted to the two posts 24, 24 which are inserted in the hollow spaces 100 at the top of stilts 10, 10. Posts 24 are loosely. bolted to bolts 102 fixed in stilts 10, 10 near their tops by means of holes 103 in posts 24 which are larger in diameter than normally needed to fit bolt 102 therethrough. As the stilts operator. walks putting one stilt in front of the other, the loosely bolted posts 24 and cross beam 22 will allow sufficient play in an angular direction in a plane parallel to the direction the stilt operator is walking so that it is not necessary for cross beam 22 to be perpendicular to the direction in which the stilt operator walks and thus, does not restrain normal movement. The plurality of holes 34- are used to position extensions 28, 28 upon which is attached a large rectangular piece of mesh (fiberglass) containing an advertisement (not shown in drawing). Posts 24, 24 are also adjustable for the convenience of the stilt operator in that they may be positioned as far from or as near to one another by means of the plurality of holes 34.

A sleeve 40 encircles an intermediate portion of the stilt 10 and is made of stainless steel. It has an extension 110 holding on to an upper window 42 and a bottomless window 44 at the bottom of one of the sides.

Also provided is a sleeve 46 disposed about the portion of the stilt where the foot pedal or plate 20 is mounted, there is shown a stainless steel stud 48 for supporting the foot plate 20. Stud 48 is secured to the bottom part of the clip 52 which extends through a window 54 in sleeve 46 for retaining stud 48 in position. Stud 48 and clip 52 are slidable along the side of stilt 10 in order to adjust for the varying height of the stilt operators. A seriesof grooves 14, the length of each groove being approximately equal to the width of the stilt 10 are positioned along the length of stilt 10 on the inner side thereof and perpendicular to the length of stilt 10. In order for the stilt operator to adjust stud 48 to a higher or lower position, he will press a lever 104 immediately below a hinge 60 thereby popping out a tooth or extension 62 which has been locked into position in one of theseries of grooves 14. As the operator pushes up hinge 60 and sleeve 40 to'a higher position, extension-110, which is connected to sleeve 46, pulls up sleeve 46 and the attachedstud 48. The operator may again lock extension or tooth 62 into a higher groove 14 at the desired height. There are two extensions on either side of each stilt 10.

A foot plate 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 through 6, is mounted on stud 48.

The foot plate is shown to have clamp members 70 that are affixed or engage with the heel of ones shoe and clamp 72 which are adapted to engage with ones forward section of the shoe, and a clamp 74 which engages with one s toe portion of the shoe. The stud 48 is adapted to fitinto and be secured by the retaining recess 78 which is seen as extending beyond a semi-cylinder for purposes of being retained upon the stud 48.

As isseen in FIG. 6, the excessive portion of the semi-cylindrical element 78 is constructed to extend only along a portion 80 of the length of the solid member 82, and the upper portion of the block 82 is adapted to fit within the instep of ones shoe.

From the block member 82 are rivet holes 84 to which straps 86, 86 are secured for fitting around ones ankle and retaining the shoe and-ankle onto the foot plate 20.

The clamps 70, 72, 74 may be each tightened into place by provision of screws 90, 90, and in this way the entire assembly shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is cooperative with the stilt and stud 20, 48.

Within the hollow receptacle or portion 18 of the stilt, there is provided the supporting bar 96 for the knob 16, in which the other end thereof is connected to a compression spring 98. The spring 98 is coupled or fastened and secured to the bar 96 by a rivet or coupling means 100, and a guide rivet 102 slides along'a slot .104.

The other endof the spring 98 is secured in place by a rivet or bolt means 106.

When the stilt operator is walking, spring 98 will be compressed and expanded within two tubes 1'12 and1'14, tube 114 being mounted'so as to slide within tube 112 in an airtight fit. There are. two valves and 122 located at the top surface of tube 112. During compression-air will be forced out through valve 120causing a siren, whistle, or a bell to be rung (not shown), or some other type of noise maker in order to help advertise by drawing the attention of people in the proximate vicinity of the stilt operator. During expansion valve 120 will be closed because of the vacuum created as tube 114 moves out from-tube 112, and valve 122 will be opened, also because of the vacuum created, letting air into tubes 112 and 114 for the next cycle wherein the spring will again be compressed in order to again make a noise.

While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A pair of adjustable stilts, comprising:

a pair of upright members;

across member perpendicular to and pivotally connected to each of said upright members, the pivotal connection allowing angular movement of either of said upright members and of said cross member in a vertical plane perpendicular to said cross member and in a vertical plane parallel to said cross member, the angular movement occurring in both of said planes simultaneously;

a pair of vertical extensions at each end of said cross member for supporting a vertically attached advertisement, said cross member having a plurality ofholes along its ends stretched out in a horizontal plane in order to adjust for the horizontal positioning of said upright members and said extensions;

a sleeve mounted on each of said upright members and in each intermediate section thereof and having an opening along a portion of its circumference;

individual hinge mechanisms having an extending tooth connected to each of said sleeves, said upright members each having a series of grooves along the intermediate portions thereof, and the tooth of each said hinge mechanism being selectively insertable within the grooves of said upright members for holding up each said hinge mechanism and said sleeve;

a lower sleeve having an opening along a portion of its circumference mounted on each upright member;

a vertical connecting member longitudinally adjacent each of said upright members and having horizontal end portions jutting out through the openings of each said sleeve and lower sleeve, said sleeve and lower sleeve thereby being connected to move simultaneously up and down, in the alternative, with each other when the tooth of said hinge mechanism is released from one of the series of grooves of said upright members;

each of said lower sleeves having a second opening along a portion of its circumference; and

a horizontal stud having a vertical clip on one end thereof and having a foot plate mounted thereabove connected to each said lower sleeve, the clip of each said stud protruding through the second opening of each said lower sleeve for supporting each said stud, and each foot plate being pivotally mounted upon each said stud and removable when tilted at an angle forward and backward, in the alternative, about the horizontal axis of each said stud.

2. The stilts of claim 1, wherein each of said upright members have a hollow space at their bottom and including:

two tubes having their opposite ends closed vertically mounted within the hollow space of each of said upright members, one tube slidably mounted within the other forming an airtight fit;

a spiral spring vertically mounted between the closed ends of said tubes, a support within the hollow space positioned between said one tube and the ground causing the spring to compress and expand as the stilt operator walks; and

an air outlet valve positioned at the top of the upper of said tubes for allowing air to escape into the atmosphere from the inside of said tubes as said tubes and said spring compress, the air making a noise as it is forced out of said air valve attracting the attention of members of the public to the advertisement.

* i i i l 

1. A pair of adjustable stilts, comprising: a pair of upright members; a cross member perpendicular to and pivotally connected to each of said upright members, the pivotal connection allowing angular movement of either of said upright members and of said cross member in a vertical plane perpendicular to said cross member and in a vertical plane parallel to said cross member, the angular movement occurring in both of said planes simultaneously; a pair of vertical extensions at each end of said cross member for supporting a vertically attached advertisement, said cross member having a plurality of holes along its ends stretched out in a horizontal plane in order to adjust for the horizontal positioning of said upright members and said extensions; a sleeve mounted on each of said upright members and in each intermediate section thereof and having an opening along a portion of its circumference; individual hinge mechanisms having an extending tooth connected to each of said sleeves, said upright members each having a series of grooves along the intermediate portions thereof, and the tooth of each said hinge mechanism being selectively insertable within the grooves of said upright members for holding up each said hinge mechanism and said sleeve; a lower sleeve having an opening along a portion of its circumference mounted on each upright member; a vertical connecting member longitudinally adjacent each of said upright members and having horizontal end portions jutting out through the openings of each said sleeve and lower sleeve, said sleeve and lower sleeve thereby being connected to move simultaneously up and down, in the alternative, with each other when the tooth of said hinge mechanism is released from one of the series of grooves of said upright members; each of said lower sleeves having a second opening along a portion of its circumference; and a horizontal stud having a vertical clip on one end thereof and having a foot plate mounted thereabove connected to each said lower sleeve, the clip of each said stud protruding through the second opening of each said lower sleeve for supporting each said stud, and each foot plate being pivotally mounted upon each said stud and removable when tilted at an angle forward and backward, in the alternative, about the horizontal axis of each said stud.
 2. The stilts of claim 1, wherein each of said upright members have a hollow space at their bottom and including: two tubes having their opposite ends closed vertically mounted within the hollow space of each of said upright members, one tube slidably mounted within the other forming an airtight fit; a spiral spring vertically mounted between the closed ends of said tubes, a support within the hollow space positioned between said one tube and the ground causing the spring to compress and expand as the stilt operator walks; and an air outlet valve positioned at the top of the upper of said tubes for allowing air to escape into the atmosphere from the inside of said tubes as said tubes and said spring compress, the air making a noise as it is forced out of said air valve attracting the attention of members of the public to the advertisement. 